Worn Out - Fall 2000 Runway Report

The little black dress is back. OK, technically it never went out of style, but designers have started interpreting it again for the runway. While those designers favored by rich socialites on Park Avenue (Oscar De La Renta, Balmain) stuck with classic, Audrey-inspired choices, others made it decidedly modern - or at least tried to. Karl Lagerfeld's version for Chanel was this sheer thing with patchwork flowers on it that looked like my grandmother's afghan. Fendi's velvet halter version looked like a disco throwback. Sorry kids, I loved Oscar and Balmain's versions. The only modern one I liked was a black leather column dress from Ann Demeulemeester. Those rich socialites have apparently taken over Seventh Avenue, because extra-matching suits and coats are back. Lots of office fabrics - tweeds and some pinstripes. But many of the tweeds are more ... more. More contrasting, more attention-getting. Librarians would be shocked. The suits match the coat and the purse and the shoes and who knows what else. Speaking of the coats, most of the ones I've seen are knee-length. A few maxi and floor length coats have strolled down the runaway, but the overwhelming majority leave the lower leg exposed. Snakeskin and python prints are so last week. This fall, it's all about crocodile. Whether it's your shoes, your accessories, your watch band, or your clothes - Ralph Lauren did this beige below-the-knee croc skirt that made me die and come back to life just to see it again. Other popular prints: plaids and houndstooth. But mostly plaids. In fabrics, expect corduroy to make a comeback. That's sad, I don't have the thighs for it. There are two major color themes this season. The first one made a pale girl like me sad. Gold is on the comeback, and this should be no surprise to anyone who saw the "Ready for More?" ads for Sex and the City. Gold will look great on you if you have a warm skintone and/or a tan. If you are a pasty white girl with cool undertones in her skin and hair, avoid it like the itchy kind of polyester. Instead, try the other big color theme that's a little more friendly - wine shades. Ranging from a good Merlot to a girly Blush Chardonnay, warm neutral pinks, berries, and burgundies will be big.

What's Out: *Pashminas - When you see knock-offs at Target, it's time for a new trend. If you have one that you want to get some more use out of, turn your wrap into a scarf for fall. If you want to know the best way to tie it (folding it in half and slipping the ends through the loop in front of your neck), let me know and I'll mail you a drawing. Wraps are now reserved for evening dresses, and they're very long and dramatic.

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